Method of coloring rubber balloons.



. aasaiso.

M'ARION M. HARRISON, OF AKRON, OHIO.

METHOD OF COLORING RUBBER BALLOONS.

We Drawing.

' In the following specification I have described my invention asembodied in the production of toy balloons which. havegenerally beenmade by dipping a form successively in a solution of rubber dissolved ina suitable solvent until a coating of sufiicient thickness is providedon the form, and there after vulcanizing the article, though it will beunderstood that my invention is not limited to this specific article ormaterial.

In the manufacture of these articles it has heretofore been the practiceto pursue one of two methods of coloringthe articles.

Jlhe first was to form the balloon or other article of a transparent ornatural colored gum, and thereafter strip it from the form, and colorit, either by boiling for a suitable length of time in an aqueous anilindye solution, or by agitating it in an organic solvent containing asuitable coloring matter.

The second method was to form the article from a rubber or gum solutioncolored with a suitable pigment to provide the article of the desiredcolor.

The first of these methods is objectionable, in that the coloring matteris distributed over the inner surface of the balloon as Well as theouter, and hence, is wasteful of color. Furthermore, while I have foundit possible to remove the excess coloring matter from the outsidesurface, as yet no practicable method has been devised for cleansing theinner surface of the neck of the balloon Well enough to prevent aconsiderable extraction of color when subjected to the action of 'salivaand the rubbing action of the lips of a child.

The second method while producing an article in which the color isdistributed through the stock and will not come ofi, is

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept, 4L, 191 1 Application filed March 7, 1917. Serial No.153,120.

objectionable in requiring a large outlay of money to keep in stock andprovide room for a large number of vats of difierent colored gums orcements, a separate vat being required for each color.

It is further diflicult to secure the requisite coloring materialsto-mix with. the gum solution to produce the different shades desired.

My present invention aims to avoid the objections of both of thesemethods, and the invention includes the novel method hereinafterdescribed and defined by the appended claims.

In proceeding according to my invention I form or shape the article in asuitable manner from uncolored or White gum and in the case of toyballoons I form them in the customary manner by dipping the forms in thegum solution, a sufficient number of times to secure the desiredthickness of material which is dried after each immersion.

After the form has been dipped into a rubber solution until the articlehas attained the required thickness, the rubber is then dried on theform and afterward cured b immersion in a cold solution of sulfurchlorid, in a solvent of rubber.' The article is thereafter again driedon the form so as to evaporate any remaining sulfur chlorid which wouldhave an injurious effect upon the coloring matter. The forms carryingthe articles are then dipped into the coloring solution, which consistsof an anilin dye dissolved in a rubber solvent. The rubber solvent ofthe solution penetrates the gum of the article carrying the coloringmatter into and distributing it through the material of said article.The articles are then dried for a third time and any dye remaining onthe surface may be removed by washing with a suitable solventor tumblingthe articles in drums containing moist rags.

Another advantage of. my invention is that it enables me to use a colddye solution.

I have found that excellent effects may be secured by using as acoloring matter an anilin dye in benzol, carbon bisulfid, or carbontetrachlorid, all of which readily penetrate the gum.

10 sists in dipping them while on their forms in r a solution of ananilin coloring matter in a solvent of rubber.

2. The hereindescribed method of coloring rubber balloons and the likeWhich consists in dipping them While on their forms 1 but aftervulcanization in an anilin coloring matter dissolved in a solvent ofrubber.

In testimony whereof, I al'fix my signature.

MARION M. HARRISON.

